Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityRelationships and mindful living.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
en-US30Fri, 02 Feb 2018 13:13:04 -0500Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:25:56 -0500Is Your Self-Expression Damaging Your Relationships?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201802/is-your-self-expression-damaging-your-relationships
Does your manner of self-expression damage trust in your relationships? How can we find a balance so that we can be emotionally honest while preserving safe connections?Emotional IntelligenceHappinessRelationshipsSelf-HelpSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201802/is-your-self-expression-damaging-your-relationships#comments1110433 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 02 Feb 2018 13:13:04 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Surprising Power of a Smilehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201801/the-surprising-power-smile
What keeps us from smiling more? Offering a generous smile can be contagious and may help improve the quality of our day.Emotion RegulationGratitudeHappinessRelationshipsSocial Lifehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201801/the-surprising-power-smile#comments1110503 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 13 Jan 2018 11:23:50 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTIs Unconditional Love Really Possible?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201801/is-unconditional-love-really-possible
Many people pursue the ideal of unconditional love. But is this possible or a setup for disappointment? How can we be responsive to others while also being responsive to ourselves?EmpathyHappinessRelationshipsSelf-HelpSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201801/is-unconditional-love-really-possible#comments1110392 at http://psychologytoday.comTue, 02 Jan 2018 01:31:22 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTPractical Tips for Metabolizing a Complimenthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201711/practical-tips-metabolizing-compliment
We often deflect people's compliments, because we're been taught to be self-effacing. But letting ourselves receive and metabolize a compliment can nurture us as nothing else can.MindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-EsteemSpiritualityWisdomhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201711/practical-tips-metabolizing-compliment#comments1106310 at http://psychologytoday.comWed, 22 Nov 2017 01:52:37 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTAre You Codependent or Just a Caring Person?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201711/are-you-codependent-or-just-caring-person
It helps to be aware of our tendency to neglect our own needs, but we may be too quick to label ourselves as "codependent."EmpathyHappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201711/are-you-codependent-or-just-caring-person#comments1106304 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 04 Nov 2017 14:18:36 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThings We Say That Block Contacthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201710/things-we-say-block-contact
Our common responses to someone's kind words or action can invite deeper contact or push people away. Being more mindful of our language may open a door to deeper connections.CognitionGratitudeHappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201710/things-we-say-block-contact#comments1106260 at http://psychologytoday.comThu, 05 Oct 2017 15:12:32 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTTwo Essential Ingredients for Effective Communicationhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201709/two-essential-ingredients-effective-communication
We may think we have a communication problem, and perhaps we do. But more fundamentally, we often have difficulty practicing these two things, which can help us break through.HappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-HelpSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201709/two-essential-ingredients-effective-communication#comments1106219 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 15 Sep 2017 13:21:48 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTTuning Up Your Listeninghttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201708/tuning-your-listening
We want to be heard, but how skilled are we at listening openly to others? Tuning up our listening skills can deepen connection and intimacy in our important relationships.Emotional IntelligenceEmpathyMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201708/tuning-your-listening#comments1105958 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 26 Aug 2017 15:11:29 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Toxic Emotion That Rules Our Worldhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201707/the-toxic-emotion-rules-our-world
Shame is a hidden emotion that infects our politics. A sign of shame is to shame others. Spotting how shame operates can lead to wiser choices in our lives and in how we vote.AngerEmbarrassmentFearLeadershipNarcissismPoliticsRelationshipsSelf-HelpSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201707/the-toxic-emotion-rules-our-world#comments1104103 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 01 Jul 2017 19:25:35 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTOne View of Relationships That Needs a Proper Burialhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201705/one-view-relationships-needs-proper-burial
The belief that no one can make us feel anything is an unrealistic belief that can increase isolation and suffering. Personal growth means engaging with how we affect each other.Emotion RegulationRelationshipsSelf-HelpSocial LifeSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201705/one-view-relationships-needs-proper-burial#comments1102735 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 26 May 2017 17:19:40 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTMeditation Can Improve Your Relationshipshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201704/meditation-can-improve-your-relationships
Cultivating inner quiet through meditation allows us to contact our truer, deeper feelings. Expressing these more subtle, nuanced feelings creates a climate for intimacy to grow.AngerEmotional IntelligenceMeditationMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201704/meditation-can-improve-your-relationships#comments1101286 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 30 Apr 2017 18:12:07 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Feelings That Underlie Our Criticismshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201704/the-feelings-underlie-our-criticisms
The tendency to be critical is very human, yet it often has destructive effects in our relationships. Uncovering our truer, more vulnerable feelings is a powerful way to connect.AngerEmbarrassmentEmotion RegulationHappinessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201704/the-feelings-underlie-our-criticisms#comments1101149 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 09 Apr 2017 16:12:20 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Best Way to Apologizehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201702/the-best-way-apologize
Being human, it is unavoidable to hurt people sometimes. Yet it’s not always easy to recognize this an offer a genuine apology to repair the damage when we’ve injured or offended.EmbarrassmentEmotion RegulationEmpathyMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201702/the-best-way-apologize#comments1099119 at http://psychologytoday.comMon, 13 Feb 2017 19:19:52 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTWhat Does Intimacy Have to Do with Spirituality?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201701/what-does-intimacy-have-do-spirituality
Being human means having a soulful longing for intimacy. This article discusses how this impulse comes from the same place as our desire to live a spiritual life.HappinessMeditationMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201701/what-does-intimacy-have-do-spirituality#comments1098158 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 15 Jan 2017 01:01:51 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTWhat Does Mindfulness Have to Do With Intimacy?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201701/what-does-mindfulness-have-do-intimacy
Mindfulness can help our relationships by connecting us with what lives most deeply within ourselves.AttachmentHappinessMeditationMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201701/what-does-mindfulness-have-do-intimacy#comments1097745 at http://psychologytoday.comThu, 05 Jan 2017 01:38:28 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTIf You’re Feeling Stuck, This May Be Whyhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/if-you-re-feeling-stuck-may-be-why
Many of us are quietly plagued by a nagging sense being flawed or defective. We secretly believe that we’re a failure, which stifles our energy and prevents us from being free.DepressionEmbarrassmentHappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/if-you-re-feeling-stuck-may-be-why#comments1095517 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 30 Oct 2016 15:55:30 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTAn Inauthentic Apology Can Be Maddeninghttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/inauthentic-apology-can-be-maddening
Why is apologizing as difficult as a root canal for some people? This is how we may respond when we're protecting our image rather than sincerely apologizing.EmbarrassmentEmpathyForgivenessGuiltMindfulnessRelationshipshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/inauthentic-apology-can-be-maddening#comments1095031 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 16 Oct 2016 13:34:28 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTDo You Feel Guilty or Ashamed?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/do-you-feel-guilty-or-ashamed
This article helps us find a language to differentiate between how we feel when we make a mistake or fall short of our ideals from the paralyzing shame of being a mistake.EmbarrassmentGuiltHappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201610/do-you-feel-guilty-or-ashamed#comments1094586 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 01 Oct 2016 15:07:20 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTRe-Envisioning Commitmenthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201609/re-envisioning-commitment
Many of us seek commitment in order to create safe, lasting relationships. But a deeper inquiry might suggest that we need to fine-tune what we're actually committing ourselves to.EmpathyMarriageMindfulnessRelationshipsSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201609/re-envisioning-commitment#comments1093196 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 18 Sep 2016 14:11:57 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Power of Healthy Shamehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201608/the-power-healthy-shame
While toxic shame is destructive, healthy, friendly shame can offer a path toward seeing more clearly how we are affecting others. Friendly shame can get our attention.EmbarrassmentEmotional IntelligenceHappinessPersonality DisordersRelationshipsSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201608/the-power-healthy-shame#comments1090200 at http://psychologytoday.comThu, 18 Aug 2016 19:23:17 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTAre You Addicted to Perfection?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201607/are-you-addicted-perfection
We want to excel in our lives, but how can we differentiate the pursuit of excellence from a shame-driven desire for perfectionism?AddictionEmbarrassmentEmotional IntelligencePerfectionismRelationshipsSelf-EsteemSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201607/are-you-addicted-perfection#comments1088807 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 10 Jul 2016 03:09:17 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTCan Shame Be Your Friend?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201606/can-shame-be-your-friend
Shame is often destructive and toxic. But can shame have a healthy aspect? This article explores how a light, friendly sense of shame can serve our lives and relationships.EmbarrassmentMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-HelpSocial LifeWisdomhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201606/can-shame-be-your-friend#comments1090196 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 10 Jun 2016 13:32:08 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTWhy We Like Being Appreciatedhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201604/why-we-being-appreciated
We all likening appreciated, but what is it about receiving gratitude that touches us? This article explores five things about gratitude that warms our heart and lifts our spirits.EmpathyGratitudeHappinessRelationshipsSelf-Esteemhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201604/why-we-being-appreciated#comments1088354 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 23 Apr 2016 13:54:13 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTHave You Been Falsely Accused?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201604/have-you-been-falsely-accused
Being falsely accused is a painful emotional experience. The pain and shame of not being seen as we really are creates deep heartache and frustration. How can we deal with this?AnxietyEmbarrassmentLonelinessRelationshipsSelf-EsteemSelf-Helphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201604/have-you-been-falsely-accused#comments1086718 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 02 Apr 2016 02:09:24 -0400Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTWhat Is Real Strength?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201603/what-is-real-strength
We often carry misconceptions about what it means to be strong. This article offers a deeper view of what strength looks like and why it's important for ourselves and society.ConfidenceEmotional IntelligenceFearMindfulnessPoliticsRelationshipsWisdomhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201603/what-is-real-strength#comments1086717 at http://psychologytoday.comWed, 02 Mar 2016 14:44:38 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTHow Religion Can Disconnect Us from Ourselves and Othershttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201601/how-religion-can-disconnect-us-ourselves-and-others
We're familiar with common addiction, but might we consider how religious beliefs can become an addition?HappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsReligionSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201601/how-religion-can-disconnect-us-ourselves-and-others#comments1084878 at http://psychologytoday.comSat, 30 Jan 2016 15:16:57 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTDo You Expect Too Much from Yourself?https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201601/do-you-expect-too-much-yourself
We burden ourselves when our expectations are unrealistically high. Being human means having limits and sometimes failing. But
failure can be a doorway to future success.EmbarrassmentPerfectionismRelationshipsSelf-EsteemSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201601/do-you-expect-too-much-yourself#comments1083934 at http://psychologytoday.comThu, 14 Jan 2016 11:02:56 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Hidden Emotion That Sabotages Our Liveshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201512/the-hidden-emotion-sabotages-our-lives
Shame is an insidious emotion that quietly sabotages our lives. The article offers ways to become more mindful of the shame we carry.EmbarrassmentEmotional IntelligenceHappinessMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-Esteemhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201512/the-hidden-emotion-sabotages-our-lives#comments1083630 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 25 Dec 2015 22:57:42 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTHow Shame Suffocates Love and Creativityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201512/how-shame-suffocates-love-and-creativity
Shame is a master emotion that stifles our aliveness and creativity. This article explores toxic shame and offers ways to heal the shame that often lurks in the background.CreativityDepressionEmbarrassmentEmotional IntelligenceRelationshipsSelf-Esteemhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201512/how-shame-suffocates-love-and-creativity#comments1083189 at http://psychologytoday.comSun, 13 Dec 2015 22:18:58 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFTThe Hidden Reasons We Don't Let Love Inhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201511/the-hidden-reasons-we-dont-let-love-in
While the fear of rejection is understandable, the fear of acceptance is less visible. Being mindful can open a deeper capacity to receive the love that is available.EmbarrassmentEmotion RegulationFearMindfulnessRelationshipsSelf-HelpSpiritualityhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201511/the-hidden-reasons-we-dont-let-love-in#comments1082397 at http://psychologytoday.comFri, 20 Nov 2015 01:34:29 -0500Intimacy, A Path Toward SpiritualityJohn Amodeo Ph.D., MFT